The price of land in Sussex reached new heights in Hove this week with the sale of a small site off Hove Park.

Developers Wimpey South London have bought the 1.5-acre site for £5.5 million from the Cuckfield Group.

It is a prime site with planning permission for 44 apartments. But the homes will hardly be going cheap.

They will also be fairly cramped, for the space available is smaller than the average football pitch.

This land is part of the former Alliance Building Society site, which played a central role in the economic life of Hove for more than 30 years.

After years of dereliction, it is good to see work will soon start on these homes and on the neighbouring business park.

They will provide homes for scores of people and jobs for hundreds more in a scheme which will be designed to a high standard.

The 44 homes will be aimed at the upper end of the market and will be well beyond the reach of the average person in the city.

So it is good to report there will also be homes ordinary people can afford.

Part of the planning permission involved building a further 21 affordable homes at the site.

As land and property prices soar, the city council's insistence on affordable housing in all medium and large schemes becomes more vital.